Federal Position Descriptions
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Deputy Administrator

Deputy Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Responsibility
Management Scope

In fiscal 2015, NASA had $20.97 billion in budget outlays and 17,744 employees.

Primary Responsibilities

• Is responsible for a portfolio of activities as defined by the NASA administrator (Depending on the background of the individual in the position, this could range from executive responsibilities to a full range of technical responsibilities.)
• Serves as acting administrator in the administrator’s absence
• Works closely with the administrator to provide overall leadership, planning and policy direction for the agency
• Together with the NASA administrator, represents NASA to the Executive Office of the President, Congress, heads of government agencies, international organizations and external organizations and communities

Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Appointed from civilian life (51 U.S.C. 20111)
• Extensive executive experience in large organizations
• Executive experience in a scientific or technical organization (preferred)
• Knowledge of or experience working in the multifaceted space enterprise
• Experience representing the interests of a scientific or technical organization to external stakeholders
• Expertise in a scientific or technical discipline (preferred)

Competencies

• Excellent executive leadership skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Facilitation skills to bring competing points of view together
• Ability to work in high-pressure situations, often with incomplete or rapidly changing information
• Energy for frequent travel, often to foreign countries

Past Appointments
  • Dava J. Newman (2015 to 2017): Apollo Program Professor of Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Lori Garver (2009 to 2013): President, Capital Space LLC; Team Leader, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Team, President-Elect Obama Transition Team, Executive Office of the President; Civil Space Policy Advisor, Obama for America
  • Shana L. Dale (2005 to 2009): Deputy Director for Homeland and National Security, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President, George W. Bush Administration; Chief of Staff and General Counsel, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President; Chair, Committee on Homeland and National Security, National Science and Technology Council
AGENCY

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Mission: To reach for new heights and reveal the unknown for the benefit of humankind

COMPENSATION

Level III $165,3001 (5 U.S.C. § 5314)

REPORTS TO

NASA Administrator

SENATE COMMITTEE

Commerce, Science and Transportation

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Footnote
  1. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.
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